India sacks three officers for accidentally firing a missile into Pakistan

Gulf Today Report

India on Tuesday fired three officers for accidentally firing a missile into Pakistan in March this year. Both countries tackled the incident, in which there were no casualties, with maturity.

The BrahMos missile, which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, was fired accidentally on March 9 and prompted Pakistan to question new Delhi’s safety protocols in place to avoid such ‘accidents’ in the future.

“The court found that officers deviated from the standard operating procedures which led to the accidental firing of the missile,” Indian Air Force said in a statement.

"A Court of Inquiry, set up to establish the facts of the case, including fixing responsibility for the incident, found that deviation from the Standard Operating Procedures by three officers led to the accidental firing of the missile," the air force said in a statement.

It also said that the dismissal of the three officers come into effect from Tuesday itself.

According to an estimate by US-based Arms Control Association, the India's BrahMos missile's range is between 300 km and 500 km.